RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack on an subterranean weapons facility in Syria operated by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, located using intelligence, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was positioned in hills just to the north of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our fighter planes employed Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several approach shafts down to the facility... initial indications indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no sign of any harm to civilians in the strike late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
IS - also known as ISIS - imposed militant control over large swathes of both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the Middle East," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted comeback" of IS following its defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," Healey added. "They were among thousands of UK service members stationed over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove militants who endanger our safety, highlights how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and powerful internationally."
In December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in Syria, following an ambush killed two American soldiers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
